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Geoff Livingston is an author, public speaker and strategist who helps companies and nonprofits develop outstanding marketing programs. He brings people together, virtually and physically for business and change.
A former journalist, Livingston continues to write, and has authored three books.

Great conversation, Arik. One nitpick, you did take my comments out of context as these five words were lopped off your quote, "as a primary business activity." Looking forward to seeing how your direction evolves.

Knowing when to add your voice to anything is a good skill. It's never good when we are talking just to be seen talking, I feel. If there is no value then there is no reason. Your grandfather clearly got that, and I wish I had gotten it at an earlier age. Great post.

I think telling a story with a photograph is just an awesome way to stand out today. It's hard to make compelling stories findable today. Great headlines like yours work, but with images becoming an increasing part of the feed I think it's becoming a must have. The Getty Images thing is a disaster, though, I'll take my royalty check!

Fantastic event this year. For me, it was the most enjoyable SXSW I had been to in four years. The theme this year had to be surveillance, with privacy concerns run amok as people wore their fitness bands and Google Glass, checking in and finding friends on SocialRadar and GroupMe. Oh, the irony!

Let's see, I was going to ceaseless amounts of networking events! See? We are who we are. And I agree, we complain, but it's still kind of new, and we are learning how to handle the vampires. Thanks for the shout out!

But how many companies have zero bad experiences? Is this realistic? I think there is a reality to listening and being polite, but what will companies really face even with a hard relentless focus on customer experience/

Thanks, Jeff. It's an interesting issue. Lot of angry white guys seem to not like the idea of changing the name. Some Native Americans are inddifferent. Most others really cannot say the name is clear of racial tarnishing.

Hey, DJ. Big congrats from the team here at Vocus (you know I am acting VP of Comms, for a little while longer). We're thrilled that you are going to be a part of the sector. We'll all be better for it!

Tennis is the fastest sport I have ever seen live. Lots of fun. Much of it has to do with momentum, and sustenance, which to your point is not something most people can continue. I think the mistakes are magnified, but less dramatic and important than social media wonks make them out to be.

I'm thrilled that you loved the book, Margie! Thank you for taking the time to review it.

As to Jason's likeability, very intentional, in some ways a tip of the hat to Dostoyevsky's despicable charactors, but also to a world which forces roles on us that maynot be right for us. There are many people who are likeable, find themselves thrusted into a situation such as fame, and don't act well. People say these folks lack character. Maybe. Maybe character is forged from fire. Maybe character also includes being in the right place in life, the natural place. More shall be revealed in book two as Jason finds his sweet spot.

I find that tips three and four are the harder points for me. I am always pushing it too far, and become miserable. Fun and rest are the salve that cures this ailment. So it's important to plan fun, rest and some time off, too.

I like the conclusion. Generally, I think you shuldn't even focus on the A-Listers. Just treat them like people, just like you and me. Serve those around you, and let the rest fall into place as it should. The A-List stuff and chasing big Klout scores are both distractions.

Failure burns like fire, and that is the motivation to succeed for me. It's not fun, but it produces a right result in the end. Fuck the journey, too. The journey sucks until you get the pay-off, then you appreciate the journey, and the pay-off even more.